OPPONENTS of controversial plans for a historic Saltburn building are holding a public meeting to air their concerns.

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s planning committee is to hold a site visit before ruling on a four-storey block of 22 sheltered apartments, proposed for the grounds of Brockley Hall by developer McCarthy and Stone.

The hall’s owners, Christian Endeavour Holiday Centres Ltd, want to sell the land to McCarthy and Stone to help fund proposed improvements and alterations to the hall itself, which are also subject to a planning application.

But before the site visit, campaigners have organised a public meeting at Saltburn Community Centre, on Sunday at 2pm to “openly voice their concerns and discuss the establishment of a Saltburn Civic Society.”

The apartment scheme, which would include the demolition of existing outbuildings, attracted a 1,102-name petition against it, plus 341 letters of objection. Just two letters of support were submitted.

Among those to speak at the October 14 planning committee meeting which decided on the site visit was town planner David Matson. He said of the McCarthy and Stone plan: “The drawings remind me of an office block in Basingstoke. It does not respect the Conservation Area.”

Computer programmer David Knowles, a Saltburn resident for nearly 30 years and “novice campaigner”, said: “The response has been overwhelmingly against the proposal. It would undo 20 years of hard work and commitment by the council and community.”

Businessman Tim Beswick compared the sweep of properties containing Brockley Hall to the Royal Crescent in Bath - “the whole sweep, the whole townscape, the building, the trees, the woods opposite - it makes a beautiful picture.

“It’s like a string of pearls - break it and all you’re left with is bits. This would be the break in the string.”

Stuart Martin, chairman of the board of trustees of Christian Endeavour Holiday Centres, said they were aware of opposition but also of “widespread” support.

Agent Chris Butt felt the scheme would be “ideally located” and “address a local need.” The scheme had “evolved over the past 12 months” after talks with council officers, including the Conservation Officer, he said.

Cllr Brian Hogg asked if it was a design specific to Saltburn “or a bog standard one you put up around the country.” Mr Butt responded by saying: “It certainly isn’t bog standard - it’s a bespoke solution.”